sequence of events:
I get a job at company A
(years pass)
Company A hires a manager for my department
(years pass)
Manager leaves company
Company B buys company A
Ex-manager starts up company C (may have happened before b buying A)
Company B lays off a lot of people including me.
I get a job at company D
5 years later, company D lays me off
Friends and ex-coworkers (from company A/B) tell me there are openings at company C
So, If I sent a letter* to ex-manager asking for an interview, do I adress it to Mr soanso? I NEVER called him Mr so-and-so, only by his first name. But a this type of letter IS usually formal.
Brian
*actually, my friend sent me the manager’s emaiul. Said manager does know my situation.
If you’re on a first-name basis, give him a call and ask. Then send a formal letter in to whomever actually handles the hiring (HR, his boss, whatever) and be sure to include in the letter that you were encouraged to submit an application by your friend (use his first and last name here).
Definitely call and let him know what you heard, and that you’re interested. That way he can put in a word for you, or warn you off if it’s not the kind of thing you want to be walking into.